Exploring The Georgia Traverse: 4 Days of Camping & Fly Fishing

Five years ago, I stumbled across a YouTube video that planted a seed, a grainy clip of dusty trails winding through the Blue Ridge Mountains on a route called the Georgia Traverse. At the time, I had just bought my first Toyota Tacoma. It wasn’t 4x4. It wasn’t trail ready. But the dream was there.

That dream got buried under the weight of life: family, work, priorities, a move to a new town. But like all good dreams, it never really left. And this year, I finally went after it.

This film "Peaks and Valleys" is about that journey. But it's also about everything the map didn’t show me: the people, the moments, the clarity that comes only when you're off-grid and off-script.

Overlanding the Georgia Traverse: What It’s Really Like

The Georgia Traverse stretches over 390 miles across the northern edge of Georgia, a mix of gravel roads, forest service trails, and winding mountain passes. It's a route made for overlanding and light off-roading, but it’s not just a trail. It’s a test of patience, preparation, and presence.

The weather didn’t go easy on us. I drove through a storm that felt like a hurricane just to catch up to my crew. Somewhere deep in the mountains, my GPS cut out. No signal. No service. No idea where I was going. That’s when I remembered I had saved the route on Trout Routes, a mapping app I use for fly fishing that also lets you download offline trail maps. It didn’t just get me back on track, it saved the entire trip.

Fly Fishing the Backroads of Georgia

This wasn’t just an overlanding trip, it was a mission to chase coldwater trout in forgotten creeks and hidden rivers. We kept it simple: Woolly Buggers and fly rods, Walmart specials and banger reels. The fish weren’t huge, but the joy was.

We lost flies. We re-rigged lines. But every time we stepped into that cold water, it reminded us why we keep coming back to fly fishing: not for perfection, but for peace.

One of the highlights was a stop at Frog Hollow, a private stretch of water in North Georgia. Big thanks to Kenny Simmons and the folks at Frog Hollow Fly Fish for not only letting us fish the property, but letting us camp on it too. If you're ever in the area, hit them up. Trust me, it’s worth it.

Peaks and Valleys: A Metaphor, and a Message

This trip was never really about the trucks or the fish. The "peaks" gave us those high moments  clear water, hot coffee, bent rods. But the "valleys" taught us the real lessons; the breakdowns, the missed fish, the fog that forced us to slow down.

I came chasing a route I saw on YouTube. But I left with something better: a reminder that the road isn’t the destination, it’s the teacher.

This trip reminded me why I started documenting these stories in the first place. For those quiet conversations over coffee. For the people who show up. For the trails that test you, then offer you something in return.

Tools That Made the Trip

• Trout Routes App: Saved the entire trip when GPS failed. It’s now my go-to for fishing and route planning, from Georgia trout streams to Florida ditches full of tarpon.

• 3rd Gen Toyota Tacoma: Just some Falken Wildpeak AT4w's, patience, and a willingness to get after it.

• Fly Rods & Streamers: Simple setups, because you don’t need fancy gear to make unforgettable memories

Final Thoughts

Whether you're a die-hard overlander, a fly fishing addict, or just someone looking for a little clarity — I hope Peaks and Valleys gives you a reason to chase your own version of the trail. It’s not always clean. It’s not always epic. But it’s always worth it.

📍 Learn more about the Georgia Traverse
📲 Download Trout Routes — Use Code ESTRADA20 for 20% Off your Pro Subscription Account